Category Archives: News Western Europe

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and Post-War Discrimination

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Germany and Post-War Discrimination

Historian Stefanie Schüler-Springorum discusses the ongoing discrimination and persecution in post-Nazi Germany, highlighting that groups such as Jews, Sinti, Roma, and homosexuals continued to face significant challenges and societal exclusion.

She emphasizes that while the end of the Nazi regime in 1945 marked a liberation for some, it did not equate to freedom for all, as many groups remained marginalized and subjected to ongoing discrimination.

Schüler-Springorum points out that remnants of these prejudices persist in contemporary German society, with issues of antisemitism, racism, and homophobia still prevalent, reflecting a deep-rooted notion of who is considered a “true German.”

In paralle, the German government has established an independent commission to address the injustices faced by Sinti and Roma in Germany and East Germany after 1945, implementing a key recommendation from the Independent Commission on Antiziganism.

The commission aims to comprehensively document the injustices, include unheard perspectives, and integrate the experiences of affected individuals and their descendants into German memory culture.

This initiative is part of a broader European movement towards state-led processes of historical reckoning, acknowledging Germany’s unique historical responsibility regarding the genocide of Sinti and Roma.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Many articles this week on the closure of what was deemed the largest Roma camp near Paris, in Stains. Out of 800 people living there, only 48 have received a re-lodging offer. A shame.

Near Nantes, in Saint Herblain, same issue: Camp closure but no alternative for its residents.

A fire near Paris on the former site of a Roma camp, implicitely attributed to them.

Then two intersting articlees, one on the commemoration of the internment of travellers in France during thed War, and the second, a reportage in a commune led by the extreme right, faced with the fact that many Bulgarian Roma live there, employed by the local farmers…

Germany News Western Europe

Remember

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Remember

The Karlsruhe city council has named a square near Kapellenstraße as Familie-Reinhardt-Platz to honor the Sinti and Roma victims of the Nazis. There was consensus on the need for a memorial, but disagreement on the location, with some council members finding the chosen site inadequate.

The proposal was supported by multiple political parties, while the CDU suggested an alternative name and location for the memorial.

Germany News Western Europe

Djelem Djelem Festival

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Djelem Djelem Festival

The 13th Djelem Djelem Arts and Culture Festival in Dortmund features the Roma Ball concert, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Romano Than association, which advocates for the visibility and empowerment of Roma communities in the Ruhr area.

The concert aims to celebrate milestones, challenges overcome, and the solidarity networks built over the past decade, promoting an inclusive and open space for cultural exchange.

The band “Amen Roma” will perform, blending traditional Roma music with modern influences, symbolizing self-determination and community identity.

Austria News Western Europe

Austria and Racism

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Austria and Racism

The UN special rapporteur on racism, Ashwini K.P., reports that far-right ideologies have entered the mainstream in Austria, highlighting an incident involving Ukrainian Roma children. Despite existing regulations and organizations aimed at combating racism in Austria, their efforts are fragmented and threatened by budget cuts, leaving deep-rooted racism unaddressed.

A comprehensive, human rights-based anti-racism strategy is necessary to improve the situation, as racism is prevalent in Austrian immigrant society.

Greece News Western Europe

Integration?

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Integration?

A new initiative in Patras aims to support and integrate Roma communities through the establishment of a ‘Roma Neighborhood Center’ with a budget of €797,513.77, as part of the Western Greece 2021-2027 program.

The initiative focuses on direct engagement with Roma families to identify and address their challenges, particularly in areas with high Roma populations facing social issues and crime.

The center will utilize music as a tool for social change, promoting education, community participation, and positive role models for Roma children, in collaboration with distinguished Roma artists.

So basically, they are using stereotypes … So far, this has not shown real success anywhere.

Austria News Western Europe

Butchu Festival

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Butchu Festival

The Roma-Butschu festival in Burgenland celebrates the traditions of the Roma community, featuring performances from various ethnic groups, including Croatian and Hungarian ensembles.

Notable performances included the Leon Berger Band and Romano Rath, with a special appearance by the Slovenian band Romano Glauso, who emphasized the need for Roma unity against discrimination.

The next Roma-Butschu is planned for next year at a new venue that will enhance cultural exchange and community interaction among different ethnic groups.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma Gatherings

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Roma Gatherings

The presence of Roma in public spaces in Mytilene has reached an intolerable level for residents and visitors, leading to public health and safety concerns due to poor hygiene conditions.

The Mayor of Rhodes, Alexandros Koliadis, and Deputy Mayor Kostas Chalkias visited the Dodecanese Police Directorate to discuss concerns about gatherings of Roma on the island.

The municipal authorities are worried about the emergence of new unauthorized gathering places for Roma and are considering involving the Prosecutor’s Office if necessary.

Bad …

News Western Europe United Kingdom

UK and Roma

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UK and Roma

Alexandra Bahor, a Roma activist in Liverpool, advocates for Roma rights and challenges stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities, emphasizing their diversity and unique needs.

She highlights the importance of meaningful partnerships between GRT communities and organizations, advocating for their involvement in decision-making processes.

Alexandra calls for recognition of anti-Gypsyism as a specific form of racism and encourages individuals to question stereotypes and listen to Roma voices to foster understanding and change.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece, Police, and Roma

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Greece, Police, and Roma

An article in the Bulgarian press about Police raids in Roma settlements in Greece.

In Nea Zoi, Greece, police operations targeting Roma families have become a regular occurrence, with over 76 raids in six months, involving hundreds of officers, under the guise of maintaining public order.

These actions are part of a broader European trend of criminalizing marginalized communities, with Greece serving as a testing ground for policies that blur the lines between internal policing and border control.

The rhetoric surrounding these operations often frames them as necessary for public safety, perpetuating a narrative that associates Roma identity with crime, while lacking significant international oversight or condemnation.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

More news this week in France about Roma.  A reportage about Romanian Roma who have been expelled from France and are returning there; questions about the condemnatioin of France by the European Union; politics in the Nantes region following an accusation of having used Roma to win local elections; near Nantes, a camp being evacuated; in Westen France, a mayor condemned for having denied Roima water; and finally, the impact of the recent extreme heat in France on a settlement near Paris.

News Western Europe Sweden

Sweden and Roma 

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Sweden and Roma 

The Council of Europe has officially accused Sweden of systemic discrimination against Roma migrants, violating the European Social Charter by denying them medical care.

A report highlighted serious violations, including a lack of national rules leading to indirect discrimination through health service fees, with 129 cases showing inadequate care.

Historical issues of discrimination against Roma in Sweden include illegal ethnic profiling by police and barriers in education and housing, prompting calls for official apologies and memorials for the Roma community.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

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Roma in Greece

The greek Roma community of Gerakas expresses strong protest in an opebn letter against frequent police operations targeting their settlement, citing issues with illegal electricity connections due to inadequate infrastructure.

The community emphasizes that they are not using electricity illegally to avoid payment, but rather due to the state’s failure to provide proper connections.

The letter calls for immediate state intervention to address long-standing issues and criticizes the government for misusing European funds instead of promoting social integration for the Roma community.

Austria News Western Europe

Minorities

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Minorities

A reform package in Austria aims to constitutionally recognize all six indigenous ethnic groups in the country, including Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Roma.

A new ethnic group forum will be established, and an annual report will be developed to inform about federal measures for the promotion and preservation of these groups.

The package also ensures the long-term security of bilingual courts in Carinthia, consolidating court locations while maintaining existing court sessions.

Greece News Western Europe

A Row

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A Row

Romani singer Vasilis Paiteris, who has been politically active since 1993, is facing a lawsuit from Aphrodite Latinopoulou, president of the party “Voice of Logic,” for insulting her dignity.

The conflict satarted when Aphrodite Latinopoulou called him “gyftos” (a pejorative term for Roma in Greek). He responded  by making a provocative remark about Latinopoulou’s appearance, which led to her filing the lawsuit.

In a recent TV appearance, Paiteris expressed willingness to apologize and invited Latinopoulou for coffee to discuss reconciliation, suggesting that 700,000 Romani voters could support her if she seeks forgiveness.

News Western Europe Portugal

Roma in Portugal

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Roma in Portugal

Portugal lacks a new national strategy for the integration of Roma communities, endangering the survival of many organizations due to funding shortages.

Roma representatives criticize government delays and the impact on local projects, particularly in education and community mediation. The absence of a strategy has led to the closure of several associations, highlighting the need for stronger state support and engagement with Roma organizations.

Greece News Western Europe

Thessaloniki Settlement

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Thessaloniki Settlement

The article discusses ongoing issues in Thessaloniki, Greece, regarding the illegal settlement and eviction of Roma families from the Tsairia area, highlighting a complex legal and social backdrop.

Despite proposed solutions for relocating 12 families (about 200 members), progress has stalled due to resistance from the Roma community, citing cultural differences.

The European Court of Human Rights has mandated that the Greek state ensure the dignity of the Roma during relocation, while local officials express frustration over the situation affecting other citizens without homes.

France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Serbia

The Ivanovitch

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The Ivanovitch

This article speaks about the Ivanovitch (in its French spelling, originally Ivanović), a Roma family from the Vojvodina who emigrated to France and became famous there. The father, Jarko, is credited with the composition of the Roma hymn “Djelem Djelem”. His two sons, Slobodan and Petro were famous musicians under the name “Les Tziganes Ivanovitch”. Petro married Natacha Bielenberg, a Russian Romni whose mother, Raja was a famous dancer in the Theatre Romen in Moscow.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma History and Inclusion

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Roma History and Inclusion

Panagiotis Charitos is a prominent social worker in Greece, dedicated to the education, social inclusion, and empowerment of Roma communities, with a strong academic background and extensive professional experience.

He has initiated various programs and projects aimed at improving educational access for Roma children, including the establishment of a Creative Activity Center and a Football Academy for Roma children.

Charitos has also been active in local politics, serving as a municipal councilor and advocating for Roma rights and social policies that promote equality and inclusion.

He is involved in the first Greek magazine dedicated to the history and culture of the Roma, titled “Unknown Culture of the Roma,” aims to document and preserve Roma heritage and promote positive examples from the community.

The magazine is a collective effort involving Roma scientists, educators, and community members, focusing on the rich traditions, values, and contributions of the Roma people.

It seeks to combat stereotypes and promote understanding between Roma communities and wider society, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities and respect for Roma culture.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma History

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Roma History

Two articles in the Greek press about the origins and history of Roma. These articles were propted by a feud on live TV Greek singer Vasilis Paiteris continues his public feud with MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou, questioning her stance in times of war and admitting he mistakenly voted for her party due to a friend’s candidacy. Paiteris labels Latinopoulou a “big racist” for her views on the Roma community, asserting that he will only apologize if she retracts her derogatory comments about them. During this, they both used the term “gyftos” that is considered to be pejorative.

The two articles are quite astonishingly accurate, with some debatable points. They also dwell on the origins of the various names given to Roma.

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